STAFF
Trilby Hoover, Executive Director
Trilby Hoover has more than 26 yrs of experience working with families. She
is a psychiatric nurse with extensive experience working with adults and
minors in every area of behavioral health including inpatient and outpatient
chemical dependency treatment. In addition, she has personal experience with
the addictive process and has been in active personal twelve step recovery
since 1983. She has discovered in both her personal and professional life
that growth is often born from challenges. She is always ready to utilize
her professional and personal recovery background to provide assistance to
families.
Trilby has been married for 20+ years and has two grown sons. Her interests
include cooking, gardening and walking her pugs, Daisy and Brutus.
Favorite Quote: "The best leaders understand that leadership is the
liberation of talent; hence they gain power not only by constantly giving it
away, but also by not grabbing it back."
- Major General Perry M. Smith
Ramon Palacios, LSAC, Program Director
Ramon
has been working with treatment programs since 1994. He has worked
within the judicial system, psychiatric hospitals and wilderness
settings with children, adolescents, adults (and their families).
His behavioral health experience includes inpatient and outpatient
care. Ramon has personal recovery from substance abuse and draws
from his own personal 12-Step experience as well as his professional
skill set. Ramon believes that helping the student is only one part
of the puzzle. The whole family must be part of the solution.
Favorite Activities: Spending time with family, (Wife Susan and
their five children and three grandchildren) camping, hiking, and
utilizing primitive wilderness skills.
Nikole Brown, LMFT, MAC - Clinical Director
Nikole has been working with adolescents professionally since 1992 and has
been working with Ascent participants in different capacities since 1998.
She earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology and her Master’s degree in
Education /Counseling and Human Services from the University of Idaho.
Nikole has extensive experience in varied treatment settings including
wilderness, educational, residential, juvenile detention centers and in
private practice. An area of particular focus is in anger management and
substance abuse treatment.
Nikole’s approach is to offer assistance to students finding value in
different aspects of themselves and then to build on personal achievements,
finding as many tools as possible to achieve success.
Nikole is happily married and has both a son and daughter. Her favorite
pastime is snowmobiling.
Favorite Quote: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried
anything new”.
- Albert Einstein
Janice Pannell, Director of Admissions
Janice has a background and education in Business Management from Brigham
Young University. She has fulfilled many interesting roles as the Director
of Human Resources and Vice President of Marketing in technological
consulting. However, Janice feels serving in the role of Admissions Director
in several prestigious therapeutic programs for adolescents has been the
most rewarding in her career.
Janice is happily married with grown children. Her favorite past-times
include hiking, skiing, gardening and walking her dog.
Favorite Quote from First Things First by Stephen R. Covey: “To Live, to
Love, to Learn, to Leave a Legacy”
Claudia Peterson, Admissions Coordinator
A
key component of Ascent's Admissions Department since 2005, Claudia
has worked in the private education setting for more than ten years
and has a vast knowledge of how therapeutic, at-risk intervention
programs operate. She was employed in the Special Education aspect
of public schooling for 10 years and also owned a cleaning business.
Born in Snoqualmie, Washington, she has been married for more than
30 years and raised six children. She and her husband thoroughly
enjoy their twelve grandchildren.
Claudia's favorite past times are gardening, sewing, decorating and
spending time with her family.
Favorite Quote: "I did the best I could at the time."
Diana Boyer, Community Liaison
Diana
Boyer, who spent fifteen years living in several Asian countries,
finds daily applications for her deep knowledge of people and
cultures in her work at Ascent. “My passion for people and
relationship is at the heart of everything I do,” and this passion
is evidenced in the care with which she supports each family in
their search for the right placement for their child.
Prior to arriving at Ascent, Diana served as director of admissions
at some very distinguished schools and programs. She built a
national reputation for professional excellence among her peers in
the education community. Diana’s sensitivity to the nuances of each
family’s circumstances, as well as her commitment to customer
service, sets her apart. Prior to her work at with families, Diana
honed her professional skills as an English teacher and
professional-events coordinator for American corporations abroad,
and as a marketing and sales representative for several
manufacturing firms in the U.S.
Diana loves spending time with her grandbaby, as well as, hiking,
biking, crossword puzzles and learning new things. She is an
accomplished gourmet cook, having studied ethnic cooking in Hong
Kong, Japan and Korea.
Favorite Quote: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by
what we give” Winston Churchill
Jolene Hannah, Clinical Coordinator
Jolene brings more than a decade of experience as a medical
assistant to Ascent, where she has worked since March 2006. After
completing a medical assistant course with the United States Air
Force, Jolene worked as medical assistant for the Air Force as well
as for an orthopedic office for 10 years. She has also been employed
as a receptionist for a physical therapy/sports medicine clinic for
two years as well as for two urgent care centers in North Idaho.
Happily married with two children, Jolene is currently working
towards a nursing or counseling degree at North Idaho College.
Jolene's favorite activities include horseback riding, reading and
"hauling my children to whatever they happen to be going to."
Favorite Quote: You must do thing you think you cannot do." -
Eleanor Roosevelt
Dan Tadlock, LMSW, Therapist
After
earning a Master's degree in Social Work from Eastern Washington
University, Dan has brought a wealth of experience to Ascent, where
he has worked since 2004. He has been employed by the Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare Research and Training Center as
well as with the Veterans Affairs Hospital, where he worked in the
VA's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program. Dan has also worked at
a rural mental health center; a residential treatment center in
Jordan, Utah; coached high school soccer and volunteers for "charity
anywhere," organizing, planning and translating events.
A graduate of Brigham Young University where he received his
Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Dan enjoys sports, spending time
with his family, outdoor recreation, bicycling, hiking, having
"guy-time" with his three sons and hanging out with his 4-year-old
chocolate Lab.
Favorite Quote" "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."
Jeff Schroeder, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Dr.
Schroeder conducts the psychological testing and in depth
assessments for the ASCENT program, and participates in treatment
planning, intervention strategies, and follow-up recommendations for
future placements. Dr. Schroeder has been involved with helping
teens and their families change unproductive patterns for over
twenty-five years: at the University of Texas Counseling Center,
with the Texas Youth Commission, as a pioneer in comprehensive
family violence treatment, with the Indian Health Service, as
regional Chief Psychologist with Idaho Health and Welfare, while
teaching in the Idaho State University Graduate School, in an
innovative school-based Community Mental Health Program, and through
fourteen years of private practice.
Kaysie Dannemiller, M.A., Therapist
With
an extensive 12-year history of working with adolescents of various
backgrounds in wilderness therapy and programming, Kaysie brings
proven leadership and exceptional experience to Ascent, where she
has worked since 2006. Along with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of
Arts degrees in Psychology, Kaysie is been a clinical therapist at
Ascent and worked as a course instructor for the program for two
summers. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she has more than four years
working in organizational development and also managed a nonprofit
performance art theater for three years.
One of Kaysie's favorite activities is hiking with Stuart and their
dog, Molly.
Favorite Quote: "Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
Rachel M. Webster, Clinical Therapist
After
earning her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in
1993, Rachel has been working as a therapist and consultant in a
range of various settings and has been employed by Ascent since
March 2007.
More than anything, she especially enjoys working with teens and their families.
Wanting to broaden her career, Rachel decided to return to the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work, where she received her Master’s degree in Social Work in 1996.
Her favorite past times are watching basketball, canoeing, listening to music and playing cards.
A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Rachel has been married to her husband, Russ, for almost nine years. They have two daughters, three dogs and five cats.
Favorite quote: “What the teacher is is more important than what he teaches.”— Karl Menninger
Shawn Wood, LCSW, Therapist
Lynne Urfer-Lovrin, RN, Director of Nursing
Lynne
graduated from the University of Connecticut, School of Nursing and
has 25 years of public health and psychiatric nursing experience
working professionally with adolescents and families. She has been
instrumental in developing education and treatment programs for
families in crisis. Eleven years ago she came to Ascent as one of
the original nurses and has helped to develop a program that is
dedicated to safety in our outdoor setting. Prior to her nursing
career, Lynne was an expedition leader for backpacking and canoe
trips for adolescents and remains active in outdoor recreation.
Marlene Stanley, LPN
Chris
Ankney, Experiential Learning Coordinator
Chris grew up playing outside and looking for adventure in the foothills of
eastern Montana. He has a B.A. Political Science from MSU and education
in electronic engineering.
Since leaving Montana Chris’ sense of adventure has taken him all over the
western U.S. and various parts of the world including golfing and surfing in
Australia, big mountain climbing in Peru and Canada, and was a tree climb guide
in Costa Rica. He has worked and studied electronics/technology, owned and
operated a small business, and has been working in the outdoor industry for
the past 10 years, (5 years of employment at Ascent.)
His interests include: climbing, biking, skiing, traveling, flying, running,
sailing, and just discovered –snorkeling. He is uniquely qualified to lead
this very talented team of professionals within the Ascent treatment team.
Favorite Quote: “Faith is the knowing that when you step off the edge of
all- that one of two things will happen. You will land safely on a ledge or
you will sprout wings and fly.”
- Unknown Source
Denise Forbregd, Student Care Coordinator
Denise
brings to the leadership of ASCENT more than 19 years of experience
in working with children and their families. For the past 9 years,
she has worked at ASCENT and was promoted from a wilderness
instructor to a night staff supervisor, base camp supervisor,
program manager, and now Director. She earned a B.A. degree in
physical education and used the skills acquired in college to do
volunteer work as a mentor with students in the community. Denise
was also responsible for the development of a community-based sports
program that increased participants’ self-image and esteem. In
addition, Denise has done extensive work with the adjudicated
adolescent population; creating specialized programming for
adolescent girls.
Erik Nelson, Chief Instructor, Experiential Learning
A
course instructor for Ascent since 2001, Erik has worked for six
years as a Park Ranger, in sales, and as a little league umpire.
Born in Del Rio, Texas, he attended Ricks College and North Idaho
College, is a husband and a dad. He is also a member of the
Sandpoint Skatepark Committee.
Erik's favorite pastimes are skiing and skateboarding with his
family.
Favorite Quote: "It's just a matter of doing it; it will feel better
when it stops hurting..."
Laurie Mires, Administrative Assistant
After working for three years at Rocky Mountain Academy, Laurie
came to ASCENT in 2005 as an administrative assistant since 2006
where she coordinates the daily operating procedures from handling
phone lines to telecommunications. A "jackette" of all trades,
Laurie has been a medical clerk, typesetter, telephone equipment
installer as well as a meter reader.
Born in San Pedro, California, Laurie's favorite pastimes include
camping, motorcycling, knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching.
Favorite Quote: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto
you."
Peggy Maas, Commissary and Transportation Manager
Part of the Ascent team since 1998, Peggy brings eight years
experience as a supervisor/manager of a transportation and
maintenance department along with 25 years in bookkeeping,
accounting and billing. Born in Spokane, Washington, she also
teaches ceramics (she has her own studio), has been a caregiver for
elderly and ill patients for 15 years and makes cake and candy
decorations.
Her favorite past times are being with her grandchildren, equine
training and the arts.
Favorite Quotes: "Don't walk in front of me, I may not lead. Just
walk beside me and be my trusting friend,"
"Don't believe anything you hear and half of what you see." -Evelyn
Stueve (my mom)
Dena Cook, Food Service Manager
Compiling nearly two decades of planning, preparing and cooking
three wholesome meals per day for Ascent students and staff, Dena
has been coming up with scores of unique recipes since she began
working for the program's food service department in 1989. Born just
down the road from Ascent in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Dena has been one
of the mainstays of the kitchen staff almost since its inception,
where she has been doing her magic in the oven on a regular, daily
basis.
When she's not cooking up a storm at home or at Ascent, Dena enjoys
horseback riding and painting.
Favorite Quote: "Doodo happens."
Daniel C. Sears, Assistant Kitchen Manager
With 40 years in the food service industry--including two
restaurants he owned for eight years--Daniel brings extensive
cooking abilities for preparing nutritious meals to students
attending Ascent's wilderness program. Born in San Francisco,
California, Daniel was a business major at Shasta College and has
received numerous certifications throughout the years in the food
industry, including several from the U.S. Food Service. He has been
with Ascent since 2006.
His favorite past times are skiing, auto repair, computers and
fishing.
Favorite Quote: "No matter the task whether it be large or small,
it's better to do it right or don't do it at all."
Jeffrey W. Gromley, Plant Operations Supervisor
Jeff has been working for the Ascent program since 1996, It is
responsible for the smooth running of Ascent's facilities along with
maintaining the day-to-day operations. If a piece of equipment or a
facility on the Ascent campus require maintenance, Jeff immediately
takes charge of the situation and has them functioning again. A
native of Indiana, Pennsylvania (Jimmy Stewart's hometown), Jeff has
worked as a lumber mill machine operator, a hunting guide, a
maintenance supervisor for a private game preserve and a machinist.
Happily married, Jeff enjoys hunting and loving his children.
Favorite Quote: "We'll see." ("It works for the weather, or any
other statement you can imagine).
Steven Steele, Plant Operations
A native of Pendleton, Oregon where he was homeschooled through
high school, Steve has been employed at ASCENT since 2000. He
started on Ascent's night staff, where he worked for the first three
years, before moving on to security. Since 2005, Steve has been a
key component of the Maintenance and Plant Operations Department and
helps keeps Ascent’s equipment and roads in excellent condition. An
avid amateur radio buff, Steve has also worked as a video slot
technician, a TV/VCR, radio and automotive repair mechanic.
Favorite Quote: "You must be the change you wish to see in the
world."
Melissa Gray, Special Projects Manager
Since 1995, Melissa has been employed at Ascent. She has managed
the program's Commissary for ten years and also spent a year working
in Ascent's basecamp. A graduate of Blue River High School in
Indiana and "the Schools of “Learn It & Live It Experiences,"
Melissa has been a YMCA Day-care Director, a bus driver, a bakery
manager, a factory worker, a department store customer service
employee and "anything my parents wanted."
Melissa's favorite pastimes are animals, sports and working with her
hands.
Favorite Quote: "God kissed it, the Devil missed...You'll be okay."
-Grandma Gray
Dwayne McNair, Logistics Coordinator, Course Backup
A member of the ASCENT team since 2006, Dwayne brings a strong
background that includes eight years as a survival instructor, four
of which were served with the United States Air Force while the
remainder was with the civilian sector in Saudi Arabia. Born in
Bonners Ferry, Idaho and a lover of the great outdoors, Dwayne
completed a six-month USAF survival training instructor course and
has also gone through a number of environment-specific survival
schools. He was employed as an Idaho and Montana hunting guide and
by the U.S. Forest Service for two years and has been a production
manager for seven years.
Favorite Quote: "Do a job large or small, do it well or not at all."
Robin Cortes Davis, Chief Instructor, Experiential Learning
Counselor
Robin brings an extensive background working with at-risk
adolescents, alternative learning and running wilderness/challenge
courses. Born in Minnesota, she holds an ABBE National Certification
for Ropes & Challenge Courses, is a FEMA First Responder and spent
seven years with the YMCA designing challenge courses. A member of
the Ascent team since 2006, Robin has also worked with at-risk youth
in halfway houses and several alternative learning schools. An
excellent skier, Robin was a ski school instructor and program
manager for 11 years and set safety lines for courses in
adventure-course racing. She holds a Associate of Arts degree in
Interior Design along with an ACE certification from the Designers
Guild.
Robin has four wonderful children from 14 to 25 years of age. She
enjoys skiing, fly-fishing, camping and just about anything
outdoors.
Favorite Quote: "Wherever you go, there you are."
Eric Bender, Experiential Counselor
A member of the Ascent team since 2005, Eric brings a background
ranging from coaching, social work and construction to the
Experiential Learning staff. Born in Walsh, Colorado, Eric holds a
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science as well as a Liberal
Arts degree.
His favorite past times are hunting and kayaking.
Favorite Quote: "Only those who risk going too far can possibly know
how far they can go."
Dusty Cash, Wilderness II Counselor
After two years working in a residential treatment facility( with 1
1/2 years as a Team Leader), Dusty joined Ascent in 2006 as a
Wilderness Counselor. His work and patience with teaching
adolescents is drawn from coaching youth soccer for eight years. A
native of North Idaho who enjoys fishing, Dusty holds a Bachelor of
Arts in Psychology with an emphasis on Child and Family Development.
Favorite Quote: "When one door of happiness closes, another always
opens in its place; the problem is most people spend so much time
standing at the closed door that they can't see the open one behind
them." -Helen Keller
Kristina Russell, Basecamp Phase Manager
A member of the Ascent team since 1999, Kristina began working in
the Commissary before moving over to the program's basecamp.
Kristina has also worked for an escort service responsible for
transporting students. She is a certified dental assistant and has
completed education in Criminal Justice. Born in Creston, British
Columbia, her favorite pastime is being a mom.
Favorite Quote" "Live, love, laugh."
Gary Davis, Experiential Learning Counselor
A FEMA Certified First Responder and a firefighter, Gary brings a
world of experience to Ascent. He has guided backpacking trips for
adult and teen programs for 15 years and worked with YMCA High Ropes
Challenges courses for at-risk youth, school and corporate groups.
Born in Long Beach, California, Gary was an Emergency Care National
Ski Patrol instructor for six years and an Adventure Race Ropes
Master. He spent nine years as a Department of Forestry wild land
firefighter and crew chief as well as in a halfway house.
Gary's favorite past times include backpacking, fly-fishing, skiing
and hunting.
Favorite Quote: "With love you can move mountains."
Ted Brauer, Basecamp Phase Manager
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Ted has been part of Ascent team
since 1994. A dedicated employee whose favorite past time is his
family, Ted started on Ascent's night staff crew and worked his way
into the program through training and on the job experience to
compliment his love for working with adolescents.
Favorite Quote: "Buzzards gotta eat just the same as worms."
Edna Neely, Camp Lead
Born in Fairview, Montana, Edna has been part of the Ascent team
since 1998. Edna raised both her children and her grandchildren.
Her favorite past times include hunting, fishing, gold-panning,
swimming and being in the great outdoors.
Favorite Quote: "Every action has a reaction."
Frank G. Davis, Night Staff Supervisor
An employee of Ascent since 1996, Frank has worked as a juvenile
detention officer as well as college security officer. A black belt
in both Karate and Tae Kwon-Do, Frank has also holds diplomas in
police training, cabinet making, certified welding and TV/VCR
repair.
Born in Somerville, New Jersey, Frank's favorite past times are
riding motorcycles and martial arts.
Favorite Quote: "If it’s man made it, I can fix it."
Dallas Bell, Night Staff
Dallas was born in Trail, Missouri and has been part of the night
staff team since 2006. He has previously worked as a welder, truck
driver, fork lift and sawmill operator, logger and a mechanic.
His favorite past times are hunting, fishing, horses and enjoying
the mountains and the forests,
Denise Raan, Night Staff
A native of Libby, Montana, Denise has been part of Ascent's night
staff since 2005. She has worked as a cook, a meat cutter, a
caregiver, a landscaper and a ceramics teacher.
Along with visiting her grandchildren, Denise's favorite past times
are camping and fishing.
Favorite Quote: "I don't have to outrun the bear; I just have to
outrun you."
Randy Raan, Night Staff
A member of Ascent's night staff since 2005, Randy has previously
worked as a heavy equipment mechanic, a truck driver, a logger and
in the mining industry. Born in Stanley, North Dakota, Randy's
favorite past times are fishing and camping.
Favorite Quote: "Unless you have lived a perfect life, be careful of
the stones you throw."
Catherine L. Shaw, Night Staff Team Lead
A long-term, dedicated employee of Ascent, Catherine has been caring
for the needs of students on the night shift since 1993. Born in
Decator, Illinois, she has worked with the public most of her life.
She enjoys reading, beading, jewelry-making, quilting and spending
time with her grandchildren.
Favorite Quote: "If you think you're too small to do big things, do
small things in a big way."
Jared Waxbom, Night Staff
Jared joined the program's night staff in 2006. A native of LaGrande,
Oregon, he has worked as a logger, ranch-hand, construction laborer
and mill worker. His favorite past times are hunting, fishing,
camping and softball.
Favorite Quote: "Don't take life seriously. You're not getting out
alive."
You can’t always think your way into better living but you can live
your way into better thinking. Start the process now by calling
800-974-1999
